Young UCF quarterbacks endure growing pains during first scrimmage

Under the scorching Central Florida sun, UCF took the practice field for its first scrimmage of the spring season on Saturday.

While the team has had a few segments of 11-on-11 work so far in the spring, this was the first chance the team had to perform in a game-like atmosphere.

"It's nice to get some game experience and see the bullets fly," junior center Joey Grant. "What you really want to see is people playing at full speed, and I think we did a good job with effort today."

It was also a key test for the team's two quarterbacks contending for the starting job. It was a mixed-bag for dueling passers Justin Holman and Pete DiNovo.

With Holman, a 6-foot-4-inch sophomore, and DiNovo, a 6-foot-1-inch redshirt freshman, splitting time leading the starting offense, Saturday could have been a chance for a quarterback to establish himself as a front runner.

"They missed a bunch of checks I thought they should have made, and too many balls [were] just thrown into space," coach George O'Leary said. "That will come. I am more looking at fieldmanship right now and who controls the huddle."

Growing pains are to expected throughout the spring. Holman threw just 14 passes last season in three appearances in relief of NFL draft prospect Blake Bortles, while DiNovo stood out leading the scout team but did not earn any game action.

"They're learning," Grant said. "As a young quarterback, that's what you have to look for. They have to grow into that leadership role. As a quarterback, you're at the beginning of the huddle and everybody is looking at you for your demeanor and your confidence."

While neither quarterback was able to get into a groove Saturday, DiNovo found the end zone.

The former East Lake quarterback was able to connect with Breshad Perriman on a long touchdown, which proved to be the team's only offensive score of the 90-minute scrimmage.

Last spring, it was an experienced quarterback, Bortles, who consistently shredded the UCF secondary. This spring has been much different. The Knights, who return nine defensive starters, were able to limit the offense's production and forced multiple interceptions.

Facing the young quarterbacks, senior safety Brandon Alexander has seen them take strides and improve during the spring's first six practices.

"For the most part, they read their keys and make the throws," senior safety Brandon Alexander said. "On Thursday, they gashed us up a lot in the secondary. We had no choice but to retaliate, come back and play how we're supposed to play."

Fortunately for the young quarterbacks, stats in March don't matter. The value of a spring scrimmage is to get plays on film against a full defense.

"They have a lot on their plate being first year quarterbacks and everyone on the offense understands that," Grant said. "They need to grow, but I think they are doing a great job of that."

• Saturday was UCF's junior day, with high school recruits and parents standing on the practice field sideline to take in the action.

• Sophomore running back Dontravious Wilson worked out with the first team offense, and caught O'Leary's eye. "I think Dontravious is separating himself a little bit. He hits it and makes a cut," O'Leary said.

• With constant player rotation during spring practices, coaches are inching toward settling some position battles.

"Usually it's that third week where you know where you'll be as far as the depth chart is concerned," O'Leary said.